Fergie's 25 years honoured

2011-11-05 18:10

London - The north stand at Old Trafford is being re-named "The Sir Alex Ferguson Stand" in recognition of his achievements as Manchester United's manager, the club announced as he celebrated 25 years in the job this weekend.

The club is also commissioning a statue of the 69-year-old Scot who has brought 37 trophies to United since he took control on Nov. 6 1986.

Ferguson walked on to the Old Trafford pitch on Saturday through a guard of honour formed by the players before United's Premier League match against Sunderland and looked overwhelmed as United's chief executive David Gill announced the honour to the crowd.

Ferguson addressed the crowd before the kickoff and wrote in his programme notes: "It has all been a fairytale dream -- give or take the occasional nightmare."

A huge banner was on display in the ground reading: "The Impossible Dream, Sir Alex Ferguson Made Possible."

Steve Bruce, now the manager of visitors Sunderland who was in the United team when Ferguson led the club to their first English title for 26 years in 1993, added in his tribute: "There will never be another manager like Sir Alex."

Among the many tributes to Ferguson was one from Barcelona's manager Pep Guardiola, tipped as a possible successor when he eventually retires.

Speaking in Barcelona, Guardiola said: "I'd like to congratulate him and tip my hat. I'd like to have the ability, like him, to always be able to re-build my team around competitive players."

Reuters

Comments

jaywant.parbhoo - 2011-11-05 18:35

Never been a Man U fan but have admired Ferguson since his Aberdeen days when he took them to honours in Scotland and also in Europe. His 25 years at the helm of the most glamourous club in the world is remarkable and he has had such amazing success. Well done to him.